Fender decals on not-really-Fender basses

[Joe Louvar]

Are we all seriously STILL debating this?

I'm going to post Fender's response to this very situation. I really don't care who's side it validates as long as it kills the argument.

I'm more than sure both sides WILL twist it all to hell but here ya go anyway!

Thank you for contacting Consumer Relations.
No one feels pride in their Squier guitar? These are very nice instruments with a very good following, but is this “stigma” of being a student or entry level guitar worth defacing the headstock… A Fender guitar neck can be attached to a Squier body, does this make it a Fender? Let’s get to your question…

Fender does not participate in or offer any details on modifications, which this would be. People are free to do what they like with our instruments once you purchase the guitar, it is your property. Fender is very concerned about the resale market and any misrepresentation once something is made available for purchase. Some of what you wrote talks of peoples intentions and feelings, which we cannot gauge, but If something does wind up on the open market with the Fender registered trademark logo and misrepresents the guitar, Fender will be involved and make a person stop or face legal action. This is why the Fender waterslide decal is not available for purchase and is a very scrutinized process to obtain one from a service center.

If this is something for personal use and if the guitar did need to be sold at a later date, I would hope the buyer would be informed of this “modification”. But what contol can Fender possibly have over a personal guitar modificaton. Fender parts are available, necks can be swapped, pickguards can be cut and that is nature of the business. Basically, do what you like… we make ‘em you own ‘em, but if something gets out in the market for sale and is misrepresenting the guitar, it can turn ugly.


best regards,

Steve Danielak
Consumer Relations Department
ph. 480-845-5135 [email protected]
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Dr. Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255



NOW! Can we please go back to arguing about carrots, and best stuff for metal?

Way cool - the end.

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

Nope, that doesn't reveal anything. You asked a very specific question and received a very vague (and grammatically strange) response.

I'm not sure how what he said validates anyone being about to fake Fenders. How strange.

Oh, I almost forgot.

No I didn't ask a very specific question.

Lol, look at my posts, I'm wordy as hell with ANYTHING I write.
Very long winded most times.

My question stretched a decent amount of page space, and listed almost every possible scenario I could muster up from a supporters side of things to you guys who are against it side of things.

I expressed the views that have been shared from both sides in equal paragraphs and tried to be as non biased as possible.

I didn't want the reader to know which side I was on and tried to maintain a neutral position in my email.

But there was nothing specific about it.

When I get the chance I can post my original question too, it's saved in my Outlook on my laptop.

I kinda need to anyway, I feel like I should edit the name of the Fender employee out. Not sure why, but it feels weird posting someone's full name and contact info.

Although I just noticed I'm a little too late. Oh well I hope he didn't mind

 

[nubs]

whatever. really? is there more to be said in support of or non-supportive thoughts on this that hasnt been hashed and re-hashed over and over.......talk about flogging a dead horse for cryin out loud!!

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

whatever. really? is there more to be said in support of or non-supportive thoughts on this that hasnt been hashed and re-hashed over and over.......talk about flogging a dead horse for cryin out loud!!

Hey buddy, I once saved a horse that had been dead for 5 years by way of a good flogging. Don't hate-participate!

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

Where'd everyone go?

Something tells me Google is getting hit hard with numerous searches on counterfeit laws!

You can look but I seriously doubt you'll find what you seek. Maybe though, I'm holding out hope!

 

[nubs]

Hey buddy, I once saved a horse that had been dead for 5 years by way of a good flogging. Don't hate-participate!

i have, voiced my opinion on this matter a number of times. putting fender waterslide decal on a squier does not make it the best bass for metal no matter what, now toss a tort pick guard on it and a set of TIflats, thats another story as long as you play with a pick and its not a road worn because mojo does not come in a can........there!

 

[Engine207]

^^ Dork...

 

[bootsox]

i have, voiced my opinion on this matter a number of times. putting fender waterslide decal on a squier does not make it the best bass for metal no matter what, now toss a tort pick guard on it and a set of TIflats, thats another story as long as you play with a pick and its not a road worn because mojo does not come in a can........there!

on that note, what's the best decal for metal?

 

[nubs]

on that note, what's the best decal for metal?

that my friend is one of those great undiscovered mysterys!

 

[Garret Graves]

Without intent NONE of those things exist.

Please explain to all of us how you've managed to somehow know what these guys plan to do with their basses?

Or if you'd like please explain how w/o intent these definitions apply or even start to fit what the members here have expressed they would like to do?

You can't because your attaching a definition to something that requires the intent factor and I'm sorry ol' wise one, we've not had a single member pop up and claim any intent to do any of those things.

I would imagine that merely placing a trademarked logo of company y onto a product of company x would establish intent to deceive, potentially for profit (since that potential exists in the case of Squier upgrade to Fender). It would, in theory, be easy to argue that point. I'm not a lawyer, nor have I studied law.

 

[Turock]

In fact I believe every member here has agreed that anyone selling these basses in the attempt to misrepresent Fender, or Squire would be wrong, and has completely agreed with you.


You can't just pull facts out of the air and attach them to some definition to make them whole and applicable.

Unless you can show intent you are wrong.

I bet you also wonder how people can get convicted on things such as involuntary manslaughter. You know, with no intent and all.

 

[Doner Designs]

Nice reply from Fender that somebody posted. It's level-headed enough that it sounds real. Anyway, this is all entertaining to read about once in awhile.

One thing that I think is interesting to ponder: are replica cars as evil as decal swappers are in the eyes of some? These Shelby Cobra replicas are less Cobra than a Squier is a Fender (actually a Squier is a Fender just as much as a Skyline is a Lakland or a Tribute is a G&L). http://gomotors.net/Shelby/Shelby-Cobra-replica.html

I think Fender got it wrong in using the Squier name. There is no shame in owning a Sklyine or a Tribute or even a Rockbass (except for the horrid logos Rockbasses used to have). But Squier? To me its like having a name on the headstock like Fender Jr, Fender for Her, Bubblegum series or something like that. It's just my opinion that the stock logo is a horrible smear / insult to a terrific product. I once owned one of the old Warwick Rockbasses and had to paint over the headstock for similar reasons. It was just too disghusting for me to look at.

 

[michael_atw]

whatever. really? is there more to be said in support of or non-supportive thoughts on this that hasnt been hashed and re-hashed over and over.......talk about flogging a dead horse for cryin out loud!!

Apparently so, as we're still debating something that should conceivably be pretty common-sense.

I have a general feel for many of the posters here though: not much experience with business, trademarks, inventions, patents, or intellectual property. Or else they'd be singing a different tune.

 

[spiritbass]

I think Fender got it wrong in using the Squier name.

AMEN! They are all Fender designs in different price brackets made available under the same corporate umbrella. A rose by any other name is still a rose, same for an official Fender design, IMO. Since they all vary in quality despite which logo is on the headstock, just establish your budget and close your eyes while enjoying the pursuit of the one that speaks to you...

 

[96tbird]

Yeah at one time Fenders were also made in Japan, still a fender. Then they were Squiers. Then Squier moved to Korea, then Indonesia and China. Mexican were also Squier while they got their act together, now they're Fender. Anything made outside the USA may not be a true Fender but Fenders ceased being Fenders when Leo left, one could say.

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

I bet you also wonder how people can get convicted on things such as involuntary manslaughter. You know, with no intent and all.

Lol, no I don't wonder that.

I'm fully aware that in a manslaughter case, one can be charged with intent & or w/o, voluntary or involuntary.
Pretty common knowledge I thought.

This isn't manslaughter, as manslaughter IN ITSELF is a crime.

Bass decoration on the other hand IS NOT!

C'mon T you were MUCH better in our last debate.
I do believe you even proved me wrong when the dust had settled.

You're not bringing your A game this time and I'm slightly disappointed. :-(

Lol it's all in good spirits man, none of this will matter when all is said and done. People will do what people do.
I just don't think it's healthy to be so wrapped up in proving a bunch of (most likely) good guys, that have no ill will whatsoever into feeling like they are all somehow "Lame" "morally inept" a "fake/phony/fraud" or whatever they have been repeatedly addressed as here. Simply because they like the Fender name and want to express it on their Squier BY FENDER bass.

Turock, What is so important in all of this? Why is it so important that you be right?

 

[georgiagoodie]

So......

We can ALL agree.....

Manslaughter does not equal bass decoration.

8^}=

 

[Gaolee]

on that note, what's the best decal for metal?

Sanding the Fender logo off your bass and replacing it with a Squier logo. That's worth at least an extra five horsepower.

 

[boynamedsuse]

Sanding the Fender logo off your bass and replacing it with a Squier logo. That's worth at least an extra five horsepower.

Nice.

 

[Turock]

Lol, no I don't wonder that.

I'm fully aware that in a manslaughter case, one can be charged with intent & or w/o, voluntary or involuntary.
Pretty common knowledge I thought.

This isn't manslaughter, as manslaughter IN ITSELF is a crime.

Bass decoration on the other hand IS NOT!

C'mon T you were MUCH better in our last debate.
I do believe you even proved me wrong when the dust had settled.

You're not bringing your A game this time and I'm slightly disappointed. :-(

Lol it's all in good spirits man, none of this will matter when all is said and done. People will do what people do.
I just don't think it's healthy to be so wrapped up in proving a bunch of (most likely) good guys, that have no ill will whatsoever into feeling like they are all somehow "Lame" "morally inept" a "fake/phony/fraud" or whatever they have been repeatedly addressed as here. Simply because they like the Fender name and want to express it on their Squier BY FENDER bass.

Turock, What is so important in all of this? Why is it so important that you be right?